【Okuhida Onsengo Hirayu Onsen】 The most historic hot spring area in the Okuhida Onsengo village

There are various benefits from the hot spring water! The oldest and most historic hot spring town in Okuhida

Located at the foot of Mount Norikura at an altitude of 1,250 meters, Hirayu Onsen is the oldest and most historic hot spring area in Okuhida. The hot springs are heated by the active volcanoes Mount Yake and Mount Norikura, and there are over 40 sources of hot springs for more than 20 inns and guesthouses.

There are various legends and folktales, such as the White Ape Legend, regarding the discovery of Hirayu Onsen and Yamabushi no Yu (itinerant monks’ spa). During the Edo period, it was a flourishing spa resort, where the feudal lords of the Hokuriku region would rest on their way to their alternate-year attendance in Edo. A scene depicting many people using Hirayu Onsen is illustrated in the Hida-Go-Fudoki, written in the late 19C, indicating that it has been a beloved hot spring since ancient times.

There are about 40 wells and sources of hot springs in the area, with an abundant output of approximately 12,000,000 liters per day and a maximum temperature of 90 degrees Celsius! The hot spring quality includes sodium, calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate and is said to be effective for gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatic disorders, neurosis, and skin diseases, among others. Another unique feature is that the color of the water varies, from transparent, brownish, greenish-brown, to milky white, depending on the facility.

Day-trip bathing in public hot springs too! A variety of hot spring accommodations are available.

With many tourist spots in the surrounding area, Hirayu Onsen offers a variety of hot spring accommodations! There are inns with all their rooms featuring private open-air baths, inns where you can enjoy Hida beef and other local Okuhida ingredients, and guesthouses, business hotels, and inns that can accommodate more than 100 guests, so you can choose one that suits your needs.

In addition to the accommodation, one of the attractions of Hirayu Onsen is the availability of many public hot springs, which can be enjoyed on a day trip. There are hot springs that can be easily experienced during a stroll, such as Hirayu no Yu, which is an open-air bath attached to the Hirayu Folk Museum, and Ashiyu Park, which has a foot bath.

Furthermore, Hirayu no Mori is highly recommended for enjoying outdoor baths on a day trip! This complex with accommodation features 16 different types of open-air baths with varying water qualities and temperatures. In the dining area, you can taste Hida flavors, such as handmade soba and Hida beef teppanyaki. With a thatched-roof resting area and a walking path through a virgin forest, it is a perfect place to relax after your bath.

Scenic spots are scattered throughout, allowing you to experience nature, such as Hirayu Great Waterfall

Along with hot springs, you’ll want to enjoy the breathtaking scenery created by the abundant nature! First, you should visit Hirayu Great Falls, located within the hot spring area. With a drop of 64 meters and a width of about six meters, this waterfall has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls and one of Gifu Prefecture’s Top 50 Famous Waters. The waterfall offers beautiful scenery throughout the seasons, with fresh greenery in early summer and autumn leaves in the fall. Every February, the Hirayu Great Falls Frozen Festival is held, featuring an illumination of the frozen waterfall.

Other scenic spots include the active volcano Mount Yake, which towers to the west of Kamikochi in the Northern Alps, as well as Kamikochi, where you can be healed by the beautiful scenery of the mountains in the Northern Alps, and the Shinhotaka Ropeway, which offers an “aerial stroll” from Shinhotaka Onsen to an altitude of 2,156 meters.

In addition to the hot springs, try fully enjoying the unique experiences of Okuhida , such as Okuhida Bear Park, where you can meet over 100 bears, including Asian black bears and brown bears, and Gattan Go!! rail mountain biking, which combines mountain biking and abandoned railway tracks.

Take home memories of Hirayu Onsen! Souvenir shops are plentiful

Hirayu Onsen offers a wealth of souvenirs that allow you to relive your trip after returning home. We recommend Natural Hot Spring Minerals, which let you enjoy the hot spring atmosphere at home. Simply add it to your bath, and your home bathtub transforms into a milky-white mineral-rich bath! The fact that no chemicals are used is a delightful bonus.

Other shops offer perfect souvenirs to remember your Northern Alps trip, such as Nagase Softshell Turtle Farm, which sells softshell turtle nutritional supplements, like the popular Softshell Turtle Balls and softshell turtle sweets; Tsuruya Shoten, which offers local sake, Hirayu’s famous hot spring eggs called Hantai Tamago, and more; as well as Shopping Center Al Plaza, which is packed with various souvenirs, including Hida folk crafts and original sweets. Numerous souvenir shops sell a wide variety of mementos for your trip.